Trachycarpus
From Freepedia
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| Image:Trachycarpus fortunei2.jpg potted Chusan palm, Tachycarpus fortunei | ||||||||||||
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Trachycarpus is a genus of nine species of palms native to Asia, from the Himalaya east to eastern China. They are fan palms (Arecaceae tribe Corypheae), with the leaves with a bare petiole terminating in a rounded fan of numerous leaflets.
This genus is very popular among palm enthusiasts for its ability to withstand cold, especially in the form of damp, cool summer weather with relatively mild winter weather. These palms often tolerate snow in their native habitats.
The most common species is Trachycarpus fortunei (Chusan Palm or Windmill Palm) which is also, in cultivated range, probably the northernmost palm species in the world, having been successfully grown in such cool and damp but relatively mild locales such as Scotland and the panhandle of Alaska. It is frequent in gardens in the British Isles and the Pacific Northwest of North America.
Substantial controversy exists as to whether Trachycarpus wagnerianus (the miniature Chusan Palm) is a distinct species, or just a minor variant of T. fortunei; it resembles that very closely, differing only in smaller leaves. However, until the synonymy is officially recognized, it remains a valid species. It is unknown in the wild, only found in cultivation in Japan. T. wagnerianus may be the northernmost palm cultivated outdoors, with reports of successful cultivation in southern Iceland. However, these reports have been relatively unsubstantiated.
Trachycarpus takil (the Kumaon Palm) is a larger but similar species to T. fortunei, that is reportedly more tolerant of cold. Other species, less popular in cultivation, include T. princeps, T. latisectus and T. martianus. None of these tolerate cold as well as T. fortunei, T. takil or T. wagnerianus, and all have a similar appearance, hence their relative lack of popularity.
Trachycarpus leaves are harvested in China and elsewhere for their fibre content, used to make coarse but very strong rope. This use gives rise to the old alternative name "Hemp-palm".
